Republican Governors Pick Sides at Their Own Risk

In the spirit of bipartisanship, and angling for his much-needed share of the stimulus package, Florida’s Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is joining President Barack Obama at a town hall in Fort Meyers tomorrow.

With Obama’s high approval rating – and the fact that he narrowly carried the swing state in 2008 – it seems like an obvious move for Crist. What’s less obvious is how such a decision fits in with his (potential) posturing for a presidential run in 2012.

Crist already faced a $2.1 billion budget shortfall this year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Estimates for 2010 predict an even larger $4.7 billion budget gap. He was also one of four Republican governors (and 14 Democratic governors) to sign a letter supporting the stimulus package.

It’s certainly in Crist’s immediate interests to play up bipartisanship and rally for a stimulus package because, frankly, he needs it.